The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-23
READING FOR THE DAY.


Golden Text will bless thee and make thy name
great; and thou shalt be a blessing.-Gen. XII, 2.
Many OF the most conservative commentators
and historians have felt embarrassed by the
short time given between the deluge and the
Call of Abram. According to the marginal
dates, in 427 years the descendants Of Noah
had developed into great nations. far apart in
locality, religions, languages and civilizations.
Great empires, with old cities. immense libra
rles, developed sciences, historic traditions,
and monuments, are found in Assyria and Egypt
In the time of Abraham, within little over
four centuries of the deluge We are again
helped by the Septuagint version, that gives
600 years more time and it is easys to Under
stand that in the LOTT years these things are
possible Rawlinson proves the origin of the
monarchy in Egypt to have been about $780, B.
c. the deluge being placed about 5000. B. c.
we now come to the beginning of the great
over, having been given to them by the Canaan
ties lGen xiv. 13l, because they had CROSSED
over the great river Euphrates in order to
come into their land. There is now but little
Question that the "Ur Of the Chaldeesp Xxi, 81.
whence tho family of Abram came, was situated
to the south of Babylon. It was one Of the most
ancient and splendid cities of Chaldea and the
name Uru has been found on tablets dug from
FL Mugheir, which place Professor Sayce and
George Smith regarded as Ur The region is
also considered by Sir Henry Rawlinson as the
probable site of the Garden of Eden.
We have on the lately discovered tablets the
hymns which the Chaldean priests sang to their
sun and moon gods, and these evidences of the
growing idolatry OF the land probably indicate
the reasons of the call of Abraham to leave the
country. The people left to their own freedom
and choice drifted into polytheism. To prevent
universal idolatry, God does not again destroy
the nations, but develops people having sys-
tenn of religious ordinances established by law
and confirmed by miracles, with q diviney or
dalned priesthood and worship, exaltng the unity
and holiness OF God and making this people his
own special care. Abram was called to be the
father of this nation.
About the only remnants among the people of
the religion of Noah was a regard for the seventh
day, and belief in Immortality and future
Judgment; but Abram, the pure-minded, hated
the ldolatry OF Ur, and led of God he began his
journey to Canaan. AS a great desert inter
vened, they naturally chose the route around it,
which led them to Haran, about 600 miles north
west of Ur The restless spirit of Eastern tribes
leo them to rove from place to place and the de-
scendants of Abram alone of the tribes from
Ierah abandoned the nomadic life
SPECIAL APPLICATIONS.
l. The Christian a Pilgrim-The Old and
New Testaments and Christian literature and
sermons abound with ideas of the Christian life,
based on the pilgrimage of Abram, leaving his
native country, ana going to new land prom
lsed Of God. Trace out the analoeies and make
clear to your scholars the way they are to be
pilgrims
2. Every young Christian who would gain
power and prominence must forsake his old
worldly companions. The atmosphere of their
low and selfish thoughts and aims, the lack of
inspiring. vitalzing beliefs, will act like maisma
and take away all Christian strength Few
Things are more necessary to-day than a sharp
line OF separation between the church and
world.
Ill. Let us initiate Abram and rear our Chris
tian affairs OF worship by the side of every en-
We must live by the side of the Ca
naanites, but the altar, with its fires kept burn
ing. will keep US distinct.
~: Gods plan is that we may be "a blessing
to others While it pays to be Christian, and
we have the promise of this life," yet God en-
riches us, that we may be rich to bless others,
and that in us 'all families of the earth may be
blessed"
V. We should educate ourselves TO the idea
and the faith that the hosts of evil now in pos
session of the goodly land shall give way before
the cross, and that the rum shops and the
orothel, the dance house and the gambling saloon
snail yield to Christian conquest We shall
have the land on which they now stand
Religious Notes.
Take up the cross that is nearest, because, how
ever heavy, it is yours.
In St. Louis there is one saloon to every ITS
inhabitants, and one church to every 2, 800
Longfellow: The Sabbath is the golden clasp
Religion is the most gentlemanly thing of the
world. 1t alone will genteize, if unmixed with
cant.
Congregational singing has been introduced in
the Roman Catholic Church of st Vincent Fer
rers, New York.
The Professionals and old Catholics occupy the
Church of the Holy Spirit at Heidelberg. to-
gether. Their services are held at different
hours.
Tine synodal assembly of the Dutch Reformed
Church has been summoned to meet at Amster-
dam, in July, for the purpose of reorganizipg the
church.
When Francis Asbury was dying he was
asked, what would you do to save a soul2p
He answered, II would travel the world
around"
W. S. Studley: Don't be discouraged because
you are misunderstood as to your actions and
motives 1t is part of the price of living to be
misiudged.
9 day of rest. how beautiful, how fair.
How welcome to the weary and the old
Day OF the LOrd and truce to earthly cares
Day or she Lord! as all our days should be.
-i.ongfellow.
The activity of Mr.. Sturgeon is at present
turned toward two new mission halls in his met
ropoitan parish; one in Surrey square, Old
Kent road, the other at Thornton heath near
Corydop.
tisms of Roman Catholic children recorded in New
York city, and the entire number of births was
81, 319, showing that two thirds eff the number of
children born were of Catholic parentaee OF
fetal returns show that there are 600 900 Roman
Catholics in this city.
An English clergyman is alarmed at the drift
OF the state church. He declares "Itis satu-
rated with popery, and leavened with worldliness.
OF course, know there are exceptions, but. as
tell you, the general como .tion of the Church of
England is appalling. For the most part, it is
being used as a mighty instrument for the per-
version OF the nation TO popery"
We only feel that faith is life,
And death is the fear of death
When we suffer up TO the solemn heights
Of a true and living faith;
When we do not say that the dead shall rise
At the resurrection cali;
But when we trust in the Lord and know
That we cannot die at ALL
Phoebe Carey
Since the union. a few years ago, the Metho-
dists constitute the largest religious denomina-
ton in Ontario. Canada, and they are it annears